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2 Math Language Symbols

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2 Math Language Symbols

This is all about for Math Language Symbols
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Mathematical

Language
and Symbols
The Language, Symbols, Syntax
and Rules of Mathematics
The language of mathematics is the sytem
used by mathematicians to communicate
mathematical ideas. This language consists of of
a substrate of some natural language (e.g.,
English) using technical terms and grammatic
conventions that are peculiar to mathematical
discourse, supplemented by a highly specialized
symbolic notation for mathematical formulas.
Mathematicsas as a language has symbols to
express a formula or to represent a constant. It has
syntax to make the expression well- formed to make
the characters and symbols clear and valid that do
not violate the rules. Mathematical symbols can
designate numbers (constants), variables, operations,
functions, brackets, punctuation, and grouping to help
determine order of operations, and other aspects of
logical syntax. A mathematical concept is
independent of the symbol chosen to represent it. In
short, convention dictates the meaning.
The language of mathematics makes it easy to
express the kinds of symbols, syntax, and rules that
mathematicians like to do and characterized by the
following:
 Precise (able to make very fine distinctions)
Example: The use of mathematical symbol is only
done based on its meaning and purpose. Like +
means add, - means subtract, x multiply, and ÷
means divide.
 Concise (able to say things briefly)
Example: The long English sentence can be
shortened using mathematical symbols. Eight plus
two equals ten which means 8 + 2 = 10.

 Powerful (able to express complex thoughts with


relative ease)
Example: The application of critical thinking and
problem solving skill requires the comprehension,
analysis, and reasoning to obtain the correct solution.
Writing Mathematical Language
as an Expression or a Sentence
A mathematical expression is a finite combination
of symbols that is well- formed according to rules that
depend on the context. It is a correct arrangement of
mathematical symbols used to represent a
mathematical object of interest. An expression does
not state a complete thought; it does not make sense
to ask if an expression is trrue or false.
The most common expression types are numbers,
sets, and fucntions. Numbers have lots of different
names. For example, the expressions

𝟏𝟎
5 2+3 (6 – 2) + 1 1+1+1+1+1,
𝟐
all look different, but are all just different names for the
same number.
The basic syntax for entering mathematical
formulas or expression in the system enables you to
quickly enter expressions using 2-D notation. The most
common mistake is to forget parentheses “( )”.
For example, the expression
1/(x+1)
is different from 1/x+1 which the system interprets as
(1/x) + 1.
Examples

The use of expressions ranges from the simple


8x – 5 (linear polynomial)
7𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 10 (quadratic polynomial)
𝑥 −2
(rational fraction)
𝑥 2 +12
to the complex
1 2𝜋 𝑑𝜃
‫׬‬
2𝜋 0 𝑎+𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
.
For example, the usual notation of
arithmetic, the expression 1 + 2 + 3 is
well – formed, but the following
expression is not:
x4)x+,/y.
A mathematical sentence is the analogue of an English
sentence; it is a correct arrangement of mathematical
symbols that states a complete thought. Sentences have
verbs. In the mathematical sentence 3+4 = 7, the verb is
“=“.
A sentence can be (always) true, (always) false, or
sometimes true/sometimes false. For example, the sentence
“1+2 = 3” is true. The sentence “1+2 = 4” is false.
The sentence “x = 2” is sometimes true/sometimes false: it
is true when x is 2, and false otherwise.
The sentence “x + 3 = 3 + x” is (always) true, no matter
what number is chosen for x.
A mathematical convention is a fact, name,
notation, or usage which is generally agreed upon
by mathematicians.
For instance, the fact that one evaluates
multiplication before addition in the expression (2 +
3) x 4 is merely conventional. There is nothing
inherently significant about the order of operations.
Mathematicians abide by the conventions in order
to allow other mathematicians to understand what
they write without constantly having to redefine
basic terms.
The following symbols are commonly used in the
order of operations.
Perform Operations on Mathematical Expressions
Correctly
Order of operations is the hierarchy of
mathematical operations. It is the set of rules that
determines which operations should be done
before or after others. We use the PEMDAS which
means Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication and
Division, and Addition and Subtraction. Most
scientific calculators follow BODMAS, that is,
Brackets, Order, Division and Multiplication, Addition
and Subtraction.
The order of operations or BODMAS/PEMDAS is merely
a set of rules that prioritize the sequence of operations
starting from the most important to the least important.
Step 1: Do as much as you can to simplify everything
inside the parentheses first.
Step 2: Simplify every exponential number in the
numerical expression.
Step 3: Multiply and divide whichever comes first, from
left to right.
Step 4: Add and subtract whichever comes first, from left
to right.
Examples
1. Evaluate (11 – 5) x 2 – 3 + 1.
Examples
2. Evaluate 10 ÷ 2 + 12 ÷ 2 x 3.
Examples
3. Simplify 4 – 3[4 – 2(6 – 3)] ÷ 2.
Examples
4. Simplify 16 – 3(𝟖 − 𝟑)𝟐 ÷ 5.

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